Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof

ABSTRACT

A semiconductor device including a relatively thin interposer excluding a through silicon hole and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The method includes forming an interposer on a dummy substrate. The forming of the interposer includes, forming a dielectric layer on the dummy substrate, forming a pattern and a via on the dielectric layer, and forming a seed layer at the pattern and the via of the dielectric layer and forming a redistribution layer and a conductive via on the seed layer. A semiconductor die is connected with the conductive via facing an upper portion of the interposer, and the semiconductor die is encapsulated with an encapsulant. The dummy substrate is removed from the interposer. A bump is connected with the conductive via facing a lower portion of the interposer.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS/INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

The present application makes reference to, claims priority to, and claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2012-0131967, filed on Nov. 20, 2012, the content of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing the same.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A semiconductor device manufactured by installing a semiconductor die onto an interposer and stacking the interposer on another semiconductor die or substrate may be referred to herein as a 2.5D package. What is referred to herein as a 3D package may be obtained by directly stacking one semiconductor die onto another semiconductor die or substrate without utilizing an interposer.

The interposer of the 2.5D package may include a plurality of through silicon vias so as to permit an electrical signal to flow between an upper semiconductor die and a lower semiconductor die or substrate. Accordingly, the through silicon vias as well as circuit patterns may be formed in the interposer in a semiconductor device, which may increase manufacturing cost and may result in a thicker device.

Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditional approaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art, through comparison of such systems with some aspects of the present invention as set forth in the remainder of the present application with reference to the drawings.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A semiconductor device and method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims.

These and other advantages, aspects and novel features of the present invention, as well as details of an illustrated embodiment thereof, will be more fully understood from the following description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A illustrates a cross-sectional view of an exemplary semiconductor device, in accordance with a representative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1B illustrates a partially enlarged view of a portion of the exemplary semiconductor device of FIG. 1A, that provides additional details of the structure, in accordance with a representative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1C illustrates a cross-sectional view of an exemplary metal-insulator-metal (MIM) structure provided for an interposer, in accordance with a representative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an exemplary semiconductor device, in accordance with a representative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a partially enlarged view of a portion of a semiconductor device such as, for example, the semiconductor device of FIG. 2, in accordance with a representative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a partially enlarged view of a portion of a semiconductor device, in accordance with another representative embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 5A to 5K illustrate cross-sectional views showing the steps of an exemplary method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, in accordance with a representative embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 6A to 6C show cross-sectional views illustrating exemplary steps of a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, in accordance with a representative embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate cross-sectional views showing the steps of an exemplary method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, in accordance with a representative embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 8A and 8B show cross-sectional views illustrating the steps of an exemplary method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, in accordance with another representative embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 9A to 9D illustrate cross-sectional views showing the steps of a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, in accordance with a representative embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 10A to 10D show cross-sectional views illustrating the steps of an exemplary method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, in accordance with a representative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 illustrates cross-sectional views showing a step from an exemplary method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, in accordance with a representative embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of the present invention relate to a semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing the same. More specifically, representative embodiments of the present invention may relate to a semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing such a semiconductor device.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In such a manner, those skilled in the art will easily realize the embodiments of the present invention upon a careful reading of the present patent application.

It should be noted that the dimensions and relative sizes of each element in the accompanying drawings may be exaggerated for clarity, and that like reference numerals refer to like elements. The term “semiconductor die” in this specification includes, for example, a semiconductor chip, a semiconductor wafer or an equivalent thereof, including an active circuit and/or a passive circuit formed thereon, a semiconductor wafer, or equivalents thereof. In addition, the term “dummy substrate” used herein includes a silicon substrate, a glass substrate, and any suitable equivalent thereof. Further, the term “dielectric layer” used herein includes a silicon oxide layer, a silicon nitride layer, an organic layer, and any suitable equivalent thereof. In the following description, it will be understood that when one part is electrically connected to another part, the one part can be directly connected to the other part, or intervening parts may also be present.

As utilized herein, the term “exemplary” means serving as a non-limiting example, instance, or illustration. Also, as utilized herein, the term “may” is generally synonymous with the phrase “may, for example”, in that such term is generally utilized to present non-limiting example illustrations. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present inventive concept. As used herein, the singular forms are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprise” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or groups, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another element, component, region, layer or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the present inventive concept.

Example embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The present inventive concept may, however, be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

FIG. 1A illustrates a cross-sectional view of an exemplary semiconductor device 100, in accordance with a representative embodiment of the present invention.

As illustrated in FIG. 1A, a semiconductor device 100 in accordance with representative embodiment of the present invention may include an interposer 110, a semiconductor die 120, an encapsulant 130 and one or more bumps 140.

In a representative embodiment of the present invention, the interposer 110 may include a redistribution layer 111, a conductive via 112 and a dielectric layer 113. As shown in the illustration of FIG. 1A, the interposer 110 may include a multi-layer structure of the redistribution layer 111 and the conductive via 112, and the redistribution layer 111 and the conductive via 112 may be passivated by the dielectric layer 113. In other words, the interposer 110 may have a multi-layer structure such as, for example, one to five layers comprising elements such as the redistribution layer 111, the conductive via 112 and the dielectric layer 113 of FIG. 1A. In addition, the conductive via 112 connected to the redistribution layer 111 may be formed facing the upper portion of the dielectric layer 113, and the conductive via 112 connected to the redistribution layer 111 may be formed facing the lower portion of the dielectric layer 113. A semiconductor die 120 may make an electrical connection to the conductive via 112 facing the upper portion of the dielectric layer 113, and the bump 140 may make an electrical connection to the conductive via 112 facing the lower portion of the dielectric layer 113, as explained below. In addition, an upper under bump metal 114 may be formed at the conductive via 112 facing the upper portion of the dielectric layer 113, and the semiconductor die 120 may be electrically connected to the upper under bump metal 114 by means of a solder layer 122. A lower under bump metal 115 may be formed at the conductive via 112 facing the lower portion of the dielectric layer 113, and the bump 140 may be electrically connected to the lower under bump metal 115.

In a representative embodiment of the present invention, the redistribution layer 111 and the conductive via 112 may be formed by using a material selected from copper, aluminum, or any suitable equivalent thereof. In addition, the dielectric layer 113 may be formed as one selected from a silicon oxide layer, a silicon nitride layer, an organic layer, or any suitable equivalent thereof. It should be noted that use of the example materials suggested above for the redistribution layer 111, the conductive via 112, and the dielectric layer 113 does not necessarily represent any specific limitations of the present invention, unless recited in the claims. When a silicon oxide layer or a silicon nitride layer is used as the dielectric layer 113, the redistribution layer 111 and the conductive via 112 may be formed to have minute pitches of less than 1 micron. In some representative embodiments of the present invention, a passive device may be embedded. When the dielectric layer 113 is a silicon oxide layer or a silicon nitride layer, the patterning of the redistribution layer 111, the conductive via 112 and the dielectric layer 113 in a semiconductor FAB process may have a line width in a range of between, for example, 0.1 μm to 10 μm. In a representative embodiment of the present invention, the line width formed in a package process may be considerably greater than that formed in a semiconductor FAB process. In some representative embodiments of the present invention, a through silicon via may not be necessary in the interposer 110, the thickness of the interposer 110 may be decreased and may be formed at lower cost.

In various representative embodiments of the present invention, the semiconductor die 120 may be, for example, a memory device, a graphics processing unit (GPU), a central processing unit (CPU), or any other semiconductor die. It should be noted, however, that use of these example devices does not necessarily represent a specific limitation of the present invention, unless recited in the claims, and the semiconductor die employed may be other than the devices listed above. The semiconductor die 120 may include a connection terminal 121 that may have an electrical connection with the interposer 110. In a representative embodiment of the present invention, the connection terminal 121 may include a copper pillar and a solder cap formed at the terminal portion thereof, and in some cases, the connection terminal 121 may include a solder bump. In addition, a solder layer 122 may be formed in advance between the connection terminal 121 and the interposer 110 for example, at the upper surface of the conductive via 112 facing the upper portion of the interposer 110 and the upper under bump metal 114 formed thereon, in order to facilitate the connection. In this way, the semiconductor die 120 may make an electrical connection with the redistribution layer 111 of the interposer 110.

In a representative embodiment of the present invention, the encapsulant 130 may be formed between the interposer 110 and the semiconductor die 120, thereby making the interposer 110 and the semiconductor die 120 into one body. More particularly, the encapsulant 130 may wrap the surface portions of the connection terminal 121 and the solder layer 122 formed between the semiconductor die 120 and the interposer 110. In this way, the upper surface and the sides of the semiconductor die 120 may be exposed to the exterior environment, and heat radiating performance of the semiconductor die 120 may be improved.

As shown in the example of FIG. 1A, the sides of the interposer 110, the semiconductor die 120 and the encapsulant 130 may lie in the same planes. Thus, the semiconductor device 100, in accordance with a representative embodiment of the present invention, may be manufactured to have a compact structure.

In some representative embodiments of the present invention, the space between the interposer 110 and the semiconductor die 120 may be filled with an underfill (not illustrated) instead of an encapsulant. That is, an underfill material may cover the lower portions of the sides of the semiconductor die 120 as well as the space between the interposer 110 and the semiconductor die 120. The underfill may increase the physical/mechanical combining force between the interposer 110 and the semiconductor die 120, and may prevent the separation of the interposer 110 and the semiconductor die 120 due to stresses induced by a difference in the coefficients of thermal expansion of the interposer 110 and the semiconductor die 120.

In a representative embodiment of the present invention, the bump 140 may be connected to the conductive via 112 facing the lower portion of the interposer 110 and the lower under bump metal 115 formed at the conductive via 112. More particularly, the lower under bump metal 115 may be formed at the redistribution layer 111 exposed at the lower surface of the interposer 110, and the bump 140 may be connected to the lower under bump metal 115. In some representative embodiments of the present invention, the bump 140 may be smaller than a typical solder ball, and may be referred to as a “micro-bump.” In some representative embodiments of the present invention, the diameter of the bump 140 may be about 100 μm or less, while in other representative embodiments, the diameter of the bump 140 to be described below may be in the range of about 200 μm to about 400 μm.

FIG. 1B illustrates a partially enlarged view of a portion of the exemplary semiconductor device 100 of FIG. 1A, which provides additional details of the structure, in accordance with a representative embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 1B, in a representative embodiment of the present invention, seed layers 116 a, 116 b and 116 c may be substantially formed at redistribution layers 111 a and 111 b, and conductive vias 112 a, 112 b and 112 c. In a representative embodiment of the present invention, the seed layers 116 a, 116 b and 116 c may be, for example, one of a titanium layer or a titanium tungsten layer. It should be noted that use of these example materials does not necessarily represent a specific limitation of the present invention, in that any other suitable material may be used.

In a representative embodiment of the present invention, the conductive via 112 a facing the lower portion of the interposer 110 and the redistribution layer 111 a may be interconnected, and the seed layer 116 a may be formed at the sides and the bottom surface of the redistribution layer 111 a.

In addition, the conductive via 112 b facing the upper portion of the interposer 110 and the redistribution layer 111 b may also be interconnected, and the seed layer 116 b may be formed at the sides and the bottom surface of the redistribution layer 111 b. As illustrated in FIG. 1B, the seed layer 116 b may be interposed between the conductive via 112 b and the redistribution layer 111 a facing the lower portion of the interposer 110.

Further, the seed layer 116 c may be formed at the sides and the bottom surface of the conductive via 112 c facing the upper portion of the interposer 110. As shown in FIG. 1B, the seed layer 116 c may be interposed between the conductive via 112 c facing the upper portion of the interposer 110, and the redistribution layer 111 b.

As in the example described above, the conductive vias and the redistribution layers in a representative embodiment of the present invention may be formed beginning with a seed layer as a starting layer, and the conductive vias and the redistribution layers of an interposer in accordance with a representative embodiment of the present invention may be formed to have a minute width and a minute pitch. In this manner, the thickness of such an interposer may be minimized.

FIG. 1C illustrates a cross-sectional view of an exemplary metal-insulator-metal (MIM) structure provided for an interposer, in accordance with a representative embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 1C, an interposer 110 in accordance with a representative embodiment of the present invention may have an embedded metal-insulator-metal (MIM) structure. More particularly, the redistribution layer 111 a facing the lower portion of the interposer 110 and the redistribution layer 111 b facing the upper portion of the interposer 110 may be electrically separated from one another, having only the dielectric layer 113 between the redistribution layer 111 a and the redistribution layer 111 b.

In this way, a semiconductor device in accordance with a representative embodiment of the present invention, such as the semiconductor device 100 of FIG. 1C, may be manufactured, for example, in a “flip-chip” manner. A “flip-chip” type semiconductor device 100 may, for example, be installed on a circuit substrate for a typical semiconductor device or for a semiconductor package. A semiconductor device in accordance with representative embodiment of the present invention, such as the semiconductor device 100 of FIG. 1C, may also be installed on, for example, a mother board, a main board, etc.

By employing a representative embodiment of the present invention, a semiconductor device 100 (e.g., a flip-chip device) including a relatively thin interposer 110 without through silicon vias may be realized. The formation of a redistribution layer and conductive vias such as, for example, the redistribution layer 111 and the conductive via 112 of FIG. 1C, having a minute pitch of less than 1 micron, may be accomplished using, for example, a silicon oxide layer or a silicon nitride layer of inorganic materials, in accordance with various representative embodiments of the present invention. In addition, a semiconductor device 100 having an interposer 110 comprising an embedded passive structure may be realized.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an exemplary semiconductor device 200, in accordance with a representative embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 2, a semiconductor device 200 in accordance with a representative embodiment of the present invention may include a flip-chip device such as, for example, the semiconductor device 100 described above with respect to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, a circuit substrate 210, an underfill 220, a cover 230, a thermally conductive adhesive 240, and one or more solder balls 250. The flip-chip device 100 may include one or more bumps such as, or example, the bump 140 of FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, which may be formed at the bottom surface the flip-chip device 100, and the bumps 140 may be installed onto the circuit substrate 210. The circuit substrate 210 may include a circuit pattern 211 and an insulating layer 212. In addition, one or more passive devices 260 may be installed on the circuit substrate 210. As described above, the bumps 140 of the flip-chip device 100 may form electrical connections with the circuit pattern 211 of the circuit substrate 210.

In a representative embodiment of the present invention, a gap between the flip-chip device 100 and the circuit substrate 210 may be filled with an underfill material in the manner of the underfill 220 of FIG. 2. That is, the underfill 220 may cover the sides and lower surface of the interposer 110, and cover a portion of the sides of the encapsulant 130 of the flip-chip device 100, as well as wrapping the bumps 140. In this manner, separation of the flip-chip device 100 from the circuit substrate 210 due to stresses induced by a difference in the coefficients of thermal expansion of the flip-chip device 100 and the circuit substrate 210 may be prevented.

In some representative embodiments of the present invention, the cover 230 may be attached to the circuit substrate 210 and at the same time, may roughly wrap the flip-chip device 100. Accordingly, the flip-chip device 100 may be protected from an external environment by the cover 230. The cover 230 may be formed by using a metal, a ceramic, or any suitable equivalent to improve the radiation of heat. It should be noted that such example materials for the cover 230 do not necessarily represent a specific limitation of the present invention, and that other materials may be employed.

The thermally conductive adhesive 240 may be interposed between the flip-chip device 100 and the cover 230, and between the cover 230 and the circuit substrate 210. The thermally conductive adhesive 240 may promptly transfer heat generated by the flip-chip device 100 to the cover 230. The thermally conductive adhesive 240 may also affix the cover 230 to the flip-chip device 100 and the circuit substrate 210.

The solder balls 250 may be attached to the bottom surface of the circuit substrate 210, and the solder balls 250 may make an electrical connection with the circuit pattern 211 of the circuit substrate 210. By using the solder balls 250, a semiconductor device in accordance with a representative embodiment of the present invention, such as the semiconductor device 200, may be installed on, for example, a motherboard, a main board, or other component of an electronic equipment such as, for example, a computer or a smart phone.

As described above, a 2.5D semiconductor device in accordance with a representative embodiment of the present invention such as, for example, the semiconductor device 200 of FIG. 2, which includes a semiconductor device 100 (i.e., a flip-chip device) having a relatively thin interposer 110 without a through silicon hole, may be realized. In addition, the formation of a redistribution layer 111 and a conductive via 112 having a minute pitch of less than about 1 micron may be accomplished by using an inorganic material such as, for example, a silicon oxide layer or a silicon nitride layer. In addition, a semiconductor device such as the semiconductor device 200 of FIG. 2, comprising a semiconductor device 100 including an interposer 110 having an embedded passive structure, in accordance with a representative embodiment of the present invention, may be realized.

FIG. 3 illustrates a partially enlarged view of a portion of a semiconductor device such as, for example, the semiconductor device 200 of FIG. 2, in accordance with a representative embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 3, a conductive via 112 that is electrically connected to a redistribution layer 111 facing the lower portion of an interposer 110, may extend from the dielectric layer 113 to a certain length, in accordance with some representative embodiments of the present invention. In such a representative embodiment, a lower under bump metal 115 a may be formed in the region of the conductive via 112 that extends outward from the dielectric layer 113, and a bump 140 may be combined with the extended conductive via 112 outward from the dielectric layer 113 and the lower under bump metal 115 a. That is, a portion of the conductive via 112 that extends outward from the dielectric layer 113 and the lower under bump metal 115 a may be disposed within the bump 140. Accordingly, the strength of attachment of the bump 140 to the conductive via 112 may be improved in such a representative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a partially enlarged view of a portion of a semiconductor device, in accordance with another representative embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 4, a lower under bump metal 115 b may be formed on the conductive via 112 at the face of the lower portion of the interposer 110 and the redistribution layer 111. For example, a seed layer 116 may be formed on a dielectric layer 113, and the lower under bump metal 115 b including, for example, a nickel gold layer, may be formed on the seed layer 116, and the conductive via 112 and the redistribution layer 111 may be formed on the lower under bump metal 115 b. In addition, the seed layer at the bottom surface and the side portion of the conductive via 112 may be removed, and the lower under bump metal 115 b may be exposed, enabling an electrical connection with the bump 140. In this case, the conductive via 112 and the lower under bump metal 115 b on the surface thereof may extend from the dielectric layer 113 to a certain length. Accordingly, a portion of the conductive via 112 that extends outward from the dielectric layer 113 and the lower under bump metal 115 b may be present within the bump 140. Thus, the strength of attachment between the conductive via 112 and the bump 140 may be improved.

FIGS. 5A to 5K illustrate cross-sectional views showing the steps of an exemplary method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, in accordance with a representative embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in FIGS. 5A to 5K, the example method of manufacturing a semiconductor device in accordance with a representative embodiment of the present invention may include a step of forming an interposer 110 on a dummy substrate 310. The step of forming the interposer 110 may include a step of forming a dielectric layer 113 on the dummy substrate 310, a step of forming a pattern 113 a on the dielectric layer 113, a step of forming a via 113 b through the dielectric layer 113, a step of forming a redistribution layer 111 and a conductive via 112 over the pattern 113 a and the via 113 b, a step of providing a patterned redistribution layer 111 by grinding the redistribution layer 111, a step of repeating the above described steps, for example, one to five times, a step of forming a dielectric layer 113 again, a step of forming a via 113 b on the dielectric layer 113 and forming a conductive via 112 at the via 113 b, a step of forming an upper under bump metal 114 at the conductive via 112, a step of electrically connecting the semiconductor die 120 to the interposer 110 and encapsulating using an encapsulant 130, a step of removing the dummy substrate 310, and a step of forming a lower under bump metal 115 at the conductive via 112 forwarding the lower portion of the interposer 110 and connecting the lower under bump metal 115 with a bump 140. The above described steps will be described in more detail below.

As illustrated in FIG. 5A, at the step of forming the dielectric layer 113 on the dummy substrate 310, the roughly flat dielectric layer 113 may be formed to a uniform thickness on the dummy substrate 310. In a representative embodiment of the present invention, the dummy substrate 310 may be formed by using one selected from, for example, silicon, glass, or any suitable equivalent. It should be noted that use of these example materials does not necessarily represent a specific limitation of the present invention, unless recited in the claims, and that any other suitable material may be employed. In addition, the dielectric layer 113 may be one selected from the group consisting of, for example, a silicon oxide layer, a silicon nitride layer, an organic layer, or any suitable equivalent. It should again be noted that use of these example materials does not necessarily represent a specific limitation of the present invention, unless recited in the claims, and that any other suitable material may be employed.

As illustrated in FIG. 5B, at the step of forming the pattern 113 a on the dielectric layer 113, the pattern 113 a may be formed to a certain depth by exposing the dielectric layer 113 to, for example, a laser beam. The pattern 113 a may also be formed by, for example, a wet etching process using a chemical solution, by a dry etching process using plasma, or by a conventional photo process, instead of using a laser beam. It should be noted that these example techniques are intended to be illustrative and not limiting, as the use of these techniques does not necessarily represent a specific limitation of the present invention, unless recited by the claims, and that other suitable techniques of forming pattern 113 a may be employed.

The pattern 113 a may also be formed by, for example, a wet etching process using a chemical solution, by a dry etching process using plasma, or by a conventional photo process, instead of using a laser beam. It should be noted that these example techniques are intended to be illustrative and not limiting, as the use of these techniques does not necessarily represent a specific limitation of the present invention, unless recited by the claims, and that other suitable techniques of forming pattern 113 a may be employed. The formation of the via 113 b may, for example as shown in FIG. 5C, expose a portion of the dummy substrate 310 to exterior. In addition, a portion of the dummy substrate 310 may also be removed to a certain depth, thereby forming an extended conductive via.

As illustrated in FIG. 5D, at the step of forming the redistribution layer 111 and the conductive via 112 at the pattern 113 a and the via 113 b, a seed layer (not illustrated) may be formed on the pattern 113 a and the via 113 b of the dielectric layer 113, and the redistribution layer 111 and the conductive via 112 may be formed to a uniform thickness on the seed layer at the same time. Particularly, copper or aluminum, for example, may be electroplated on such a seed layer to cover the pattern 113 a and the via 113 b. In this way, the conductive via 112 may face the lower portion of the interposer 110.

As illustrated in FIG. 5E, at the step of providing the patterned redistribution layer 111 by grinding the redistribution layer 111, the redistribution layer 111 and the conductive via 112 disposed higher than the dielectric layer 113 may be ground or/and etched to a certain thickness to separate portions of the connected redistribution layer 111 from each other.

As illustrated in FIG. 5F, at the step of repeating the above described steps from, for example, one to five times, the processes illustrated in FIGS. 5A to 5E may be repeated, for example, one to five times to obtain a multi-layer structure of the conductive via 112 and the redistribution layer 111. It should be noted that the range of repetitions of the steps given in this illustrative example is meant to aid in understanding the concepts presented, and not to limit these teachings, and that the number of repetitions of the above operation does not necessarily represent a specific limitation of the present invention, unless recited in the claims.

As illustrated in FIG. 5G, at the step of forming the dielectric layer 113 again, the dielectric layer 113 may be formed again on the multi-layer structure of the conductive via 112 and the redistribution layer 111. The dielectric layer 113 may also be formed by one selected from the group consisting of, for example, a silicon oxide layer, a silicon nitride layer, an organic layer, or any suitable equivalent of these materials. It should be noted that use of these materials does not necessarily represent a specific limitation of the present invention, unless recited by the claims, and that any suitable materials may be used.

As illustrated in FIG. 5H, at the step of forming the via at the dielectric layer 113 and forming the conductive via 112 at the via, the via may be formed at the dielectric layer 113 by means of, for example, a laser or any other suitable technique as discussed above, and the conductive via 112 may be further formed at the via to make an electrical connection to the redistribution layer 111 previously formed. In this way, the conductive via 112 facing the upper portion of the interposer 110 may be exposed to the exterior environment.

As illustrated in FIG. 5I, at the step of forming the upper under bump metal 114 at the conductive via 112, the upper under bump metal 114 may be formed at the conductive via 112 facing the upper portion of the interposer 110. In a representative embodiment of the present invention, a connection terminal 121 of a semiconductor die 120 may be electrically connected to the upper under bump metal 114, in a following process.

As illustrated in FIG. 5J, at the step of making an electrical connection of the semiconductor die 120 to the interposer 110 and encapsulating using the encapsulant 130, the connection terminal 121 of the semiconductor die 120 may make an electrical connection with the conductive via 112 facing the upper portion of the interposer 110 and the upper under bump metal 114 formed thereon by a solder layer 122, and the lower surface of the semiconductor die 120 may be encapsulated by the encapsulant 130. In a representative embodiment of the present invention, any space between the interposer 110 and the semiconductor die 120 may be filled with the encapsulant 130. In some representative embodiments of the present invention, some or all of the space between the interposer 110 and the semiconductor die 120 may be filled with an underfill.

As illustrated in FIG. 5K, at the step of removing the dummy substrate 310, the dummy substrate 310 attached on the bottom surface of the interposer 110 may be removed by means of, for example, a grinding process, a chemical etching process, or any combination of these or any other suitable techniques. In this way, the conductive via 112 facing the lower portion of the interposer 110 may, for example, be coplanar with the dielectric layer 113.

In the manner described above, a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device including a relatively thin interposer 110 without a through silicon via may be realized, in accordance with a representative embodiment of the present invention.

As discussed above, the interposer 110 of a representative embodiment of the present invention may include a dielectric layer such as, for example, the dielectric layer 113 having a high dielectric constant, and may be fabricated on a dummy substrate such as the dummy substrate 310, formed from, for example, silicon or glass. By employing the exemplary method of manufacturing a semiconductor device given above, in accordance with a representative embodiment of the present invention, a redistribution layer such as the redistribution layer 111, having a minute pitch of less than about one micron, and an embedded passive structure, may be realized. In addition, some representative embodiments of the present invention provide a structure excluding an extended portion for forming a connection between a redistribution layer (e.g., the redistribution layer 111) and a bump (e.g., the bump 140).

FIGS. 6A to 6C show cross-sectional views illustrating exemplary steps of a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, in accordance with a representative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6A shows the semiconductor device comprising a dummy substrate 310 and an interposer 110 having a dielectric layer 113, a redistribution layer 111, and a conductive via 112. As illustrated in FIG. 6A, a seed layer 116 may be formed at the bottom surface of the conductive via 112 facing the lower portion of the interposer 110.

FIG. 6B illustrates that, after removing the dummy substrate 310, the seed layer 116 formed at the bottom surface of the conductive via 112 may be removed using, for example, an etching process, and a lower under bump metal 115 may be formed in its place. In a representative embodiment of the present invention, the bottom surface of the conductive via 112 may be slightly removed by the etching process, and the under bump metal 115 may be formed using one method selected from, for example, an electroplating method, an electro-less plating method, a sputtering method, an evaporation method, a chemical vaporization deposition method, or any suitable equivalent of those exemplary techniques. It should be noted that use of those techniques does not necessarily represent a specific limitation of the present invention, unless recited in the claims. In a representative embodiment of the present invention, a bump 140 may then be electrically connected to the lower under bump metal 115.

As illustrated in FIG. 6C, after removing the dummy substrate 310, in some representative embodiments of the present invention, the seed layer 116 formed at the bottom surface of the conductive via 112 may not be removed but may remain. That is, the under bump metal 115 may be directly formed under the seed layer 116 by using one method selected from, for example, an electroplating method, an electro-less plating method, a sputtering method, an evaporation method, a chemical vaporization deposition method, or any suitable equivalent of these techniques. It should be noted that use of these exemplary techniques does not necessarily represent a specific limitation of the present invention, unless recited by the claims, as other techniques may be employed.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate cross-sectional views showing the steps of an exemplary method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, in accordance with a representative embodiment of the present invention.

As illustrated in FIG. 7A, in a representative embodiment of the present invention, a groove 311 may be formed by removing a portion of a dummy substrate 310 by means of, for example, a laser beam or an etching process, and a seed layer 116 may then be formed along the groove 311 of the dummy substrate 310. In this manner, a conductive via 112 may have a combined shape in the groove 311 of the dummy substrate 310.

As illustrated in FIG. 7B, after removing the dummy substrate 310, the conductive via 112 may extend through the dielectric layer 113. In some representative embodiments of the present invention, the seed layer 116 formed at the surface (e.g., at the bottom surface and both sides) of the extended conductive via 112 may be removed, and a lower under bump metal 115 a may be formed in its place. That is, in a representative embodiment of the present invention, the lower under bump metal 115 a may also extend beyond or protrude from the surface of the dielectric layer 113.

In a representative embodiment of the present invention, as the contact area between the bump 140 and the conductive via 112 or the lower under bump metal 115 a increases, the attachment of the bump 140 and the conductive via 112 or the lower under bump metal 115 a may be improved. The use of some representative embodiments of the present invention result a structure in which the conductive via 112 or the lower under bump metal 115 a is disposed within the bump 140.

FIGS. 8A and 8B show cross-sectional views illustrating the steps of an exemplary method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, in accordance with another representative embodiment of the present invention.

As illustrated in FIG. 8A, a conductive via 112 and a redistribution layer 111 may be formed on the surface of a lower under bump metal 115 b that includes, for example, a seed layer 116 and alternately integrated nickel and gold layers.

As illustrated in FIG. 8B, after removing a dummy substrate 310, the conductive via 112, the lower under bump metal 115 b and the seed layer 116 may have a shape extending or protruding from the dielectric layer 113. In this case, the seed layer 116 formed at the surface (e.g., at the bottom surface and both sides) of the conductive via 112 with under bump metal 115 b, may be removed, and the lower under bump metal 115 b may be exposed to the exterior environment. In this manner, the lower under bump metal 115 b may also have an extended or protruding shape from the dielectric layer 113.

Accordingly, as the contact area between the bump 140 and the conductive via 112 or the lower under bump metal 115 b increases, the attachment of the bump 140 with the conductive via 112 or the lower under bump metal 115 b may be improved. In other words, a representative embodiment of the present invention may provide a structure in which the conductive via 112 or the lower under bump metal 115 b is disposed within the bump 140, improving attachment of the bump 140 to the conductive via 112 or under bump metal 115 b.

FIGS. 9A to 9D illustrate cross-sectional views showing the steps of a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, in accordance with a representative embodiment of the present invention.

As illustrated in FIG. 9A, in another representative embodiment of the present invention, a second dielectric layer 410 with a predetermined thickness may be formed on the bottom surface of a first dielectric layer 113 after a dummy substrate (such as, for example, the dummy substrate 310 of FIG. 8A) is removed. In the illustration of FIG. 9A, a lower surface and side surface of the conductive via 112 are shown covered with the second dielectric layer 410. In a representative embodiment of the present invention, the material of the second dielectric layer 410 may be the same as or different from that of the first dielectric layer 113.

As illustrated in FIG. 9B, using a leveling process, a portion of the second dielectric layer 410 corresponding to the lower surface of the conductive via 112 may be removed and thereby expose the lower surface of the conductive via 112 to an outside environment. In various representative embodiments of the present invention, the leveling process may be, for example, a chemical and/or mechanical planarization process.

As illustrated in FIG. 9C, a lower under bump metal 415 may be formed on an exposed lower surface of the conductive via 112 by using one method selected from, for example, an electroplating method, an electro-less plating method, a sputtering method, an evaporation method, a chemical vaporization deposition method, or any suitable equivalent. It should be noted, however, that the example methods above do not necessarily represent specific limitations of the present invention, unless recited in the claims, and that other methods may be employed. For example, the lower under bump metal 415 may include nickel (Ni) and gold (Au) which are sequentially plated on the lower surface of the conductive via 112. In addition, the lower under bump metal 415 may extend over a portion of the lower surface of the second dielectric layer 410 located to the side of the lower surface of conductive via 112.

As illustrated in FIG. 9D, a conductive bump 140 may be electrically connected to the lower under bump metal 415. Therefore, the conductive bump 140 is electrically connected to the conductive via 112 through the lower under bump metal 415.

FIGS. 10A to 10D show cross-sectional views illustrating the steps of an exemplary method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, in accordance with a representative embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 10A, the conductive via 112 protrudes to the outside via the dielectric layer 113 after a dummy substrate such as, for example, the dummy substrate 310 of FIG. 8A, is removed.

As illustrated in FIG. 10B, the lower surface of the conductive via 112 is flush with the bottom surface of the dielectric layer 113, following the application of a leveling process. In various representative embodiments of the present invention, the leveling process may be, for example, a chemical and/or mechanical planarization process.

As illustrated in FIG. 10C, a lower under bump metal 515 with predetermined thickness may be formed on the lower surface of the conductive via 112, which is shown in FIG. 10C as being flush with the bottom surface of the dielectric layer 113. In the illustration of FIG. 10C, the lower under bump metal 515 extends over the dielectric layer 113 located at the side of the lower surface of the conductive via 112, in accordance with some representative embodiments of the present invention.

As illustrated in FIG. 10D, in accordance with some representative embodiment of the present invention, a conductive bump 140 may be electrically connected to the lower under bump metal 515.

FIG. 11 illustrates cross-sectional views showing a step from an exemplary method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, in accordance with a representative embodiment of the present invention.

As illustrated in FIG. 11, in accordance with various representative embodiments of the present invention, a conductive bump 140 may be electrically connected to the lower surface of a conductive via 112 that is flush with the bottom surface of a dielectric layer 113.

An aspect of the present invention provides a semiconductor device and a manufacturing method thereof including a relatively thin interposer excluding a through silicon via.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a semiconductor device having an interposer that includes a dielectric layer having a high dielectric constant on a dummy substrate such as silicon, glass, or suitable equivalents, and a manufacturing method therefor, thereby forming a redistribution layer having minute pitches of a submicron unit, and accomplishing an embedded passive structure.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a semiconductor device including various connection structures between a redistribution layer and one or more bumps, such as a structure excluding an extended or protruding portion, a structure including an extended or protruding portion, a structure including an under bump metal, and manufacturing methods therefor.

According to at least one of embodiments, a manufacturing method of a semiconductor device may include forming an interposer on a dummy substrate. The forming of the interposer may include forming a dielectric layer on the dummy substrate, forming a pattern and a via at the dielectric layer and forming a seed layer on the pattern and the via of the dielectric layer and forming a redistribution layer and a conductive via on the seed layer. A semiconductor die may be connected with the conductive via facing an upper portion of the interposer, and the semiconductor die may be encapsulated with an encapsulant. The dummy substrate may be removed from the interposer, and a bump may be connected with the conductive via facing a lower portion of the interposer.

The dummy substrate may be a silicon substrate or a glass substrate, and the dielectric layer may be a silicon oxide layer, a silicon nitride layer, or an organic layer. The pattern and the via of the dielectric layer may be formed by a laser beam, a photo process, or an etching process. A plurality of redistribution layers may be formed in a horizontal dimension, and an upper surface of the plurality of the redistribution layer may be ground to be electrically separated from each other. The forming steps of the dielectric layer, the seed layer, the redistribution layer, and the conductive via may be repeatedly conducted by 1 to 5 times.

An upper under bump metal may be formed at the conductive via facing the upper portion of the interposer, and the semiconductor die may make an electrical connection with the upper under bump metal. The removing of the dummy substrate may be conducted by grinding and/or etching the dummy substrate to expose the conductive via facing the lower portion of the interposer. The connection of the bump may be conducted by forming a lower under bump metal at the conductive via facing the lower portion of the interposer, and connecting the bump with the lower under bump metal. The conductive via facing the lower portion of the interposer may be disposed at the same plane as a bottom surface of the dielectric layer, and the conductive via facing the lower portion of the interposer may extend or protrude from the bottom surface of the dielectric layer and into the dummy substrate.

The conductive via facing the lower portion of the interposer may extend or protrude from the bottom surface of the dielectric layer, and the lower under bump metal may be formed at an extended region. The seed layer may be formed on the pattern and the via of the dielectric layer, the lower under bump metal may be formed on the seed layer, and the redistribution layer and the conductive via may be formed at the lower under bump metal. The seed layer may be removed, and the lower under bump metal may be exposed or extended through the dielectric layer. The bump may be mounted on a circuit substrate after connecting the bump, and a space between the interposer and the circuit substrate may be filled with underfill. A cover may be attached on the circuit substrate to cover the semiconductor die.

The manufacturing method of a semiconductor device may include forming a second dielectric layer under the conductive via and the dielectric layer; removing a portion of the second dielectric layer corresponding to the conductive via such that a lower surface of the conductive via is exposed to an outside environment via the second dielectric layer; and forming the lower under bump metal on the lower surface of the conductive via that is exposed to the outside environment via the second dielectric layer.

The manufacturing method of a semiconductor device may include leveling the conductive via protruding from the bottom surface of the dielectric layer such that a lower surface of the conductive via is flush with the bottom surface of the dielectric layer; and forming the lower under bump metal on the lower surface of the conductive.

The manufacturing method of a semiconductor device may include leveling the conductive via protruding from the bottom surface of the dielectric layer after removing the dummy substrate such that a lower surface of the conductive via is flush with the bottom surface of the dielectric layer; and forming the lower under bump metal on the lower surface of the conductive via.

According to another embodiment, a semiconductor device may include an interposer having a conductive via, a redistribution layer making a electrical connection with the conductive via, and a dielectric layer passivating the conductive via and the redistribution layer, a semiconductor die connected to a conductive via facing an upper portion of the interposer, an encapsulant encapsulating the semiconductor die and a bump connected to a conductive via facing a lower portion of the interposer. A seed layer may be provided with the conductive via and the redistribution layer, respectively. The dielectric layer may be a silicon oxide layer, a silicon nitride layer or an organic layer. The dielectric layer, the seed layer, the redistribution layer and the conductive via may have a structure of 1 to 5 layers.

An upper under bump metal may be formed at the conductive via facing the upper portion of the interposer, and the semiconductor die may make an electrical connection with the upper under bump metal. A lower under bump metal may be formed at the conductive via facing the lower portion of the interposer, and the bump may be connected with the lower under bump metal. The conductive via facing the lower portion of the interposer may be disposed on the same plane as a bottom surface of the dielectric layer. The conductive via facing the lower portion of the interposer may extend from the bottom surface of the dielectric layer and may be combined with the bump. The conductive via facing the lower portion of the interposer may extend from the bottom surface of the dielectric layer, the lower under bump metal may be formed at an extended region, and the bump may be combined with the lower under bump metal. The bump may be installed on a circuit substrate, a space between the interposer and the circuit substrate may be filled with an underfill, and a cover may be attached at the circuit substrate to cover the semiconductor die.

The redistribution layer may include a first redistribution layer and a second redistribution layer, separated from each other, and the device may include a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) structure including a dielectric layer interposed between the first and second redistribution layers. A second dielectric layer may be formed on a bottom surface of the dielectric layer.

According to an embodiment, a semiconductor device including a relatively thin interposer excluding a through silicon via and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. According to an embodiment, a semiconductor device having an interposer including a dielectric layer having a high dielectric constant on a dummy substrate such as silicon or glass, and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. A redistribution layer having minute pitches of a submicron unit may be possibly formed, and an embedded passive structure may be accomplished.

According to an embodiment, a semiconductor device including various connection structures between a redistribution layer and a bump, such as a structure excluding an extruded portion, a structure including an extruded portion, a structure including an under bump metal, and a manufacturing method thereof are provided.

Exemplary embodiments have been disclosed herein, and although specific terms are employed, they are used and are to be interpreted in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purpose of limitation. Accordingly, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as set forth in the following claims.

While the present invention has been described with reference to certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the present invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present invention without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the present invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but that the present invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. 

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A semiconductor device comprising: an interposer comprising: a first interposer side; a second interposer side opposite the first interposer side; a first dielectric layer at the first interposer side; a first conductive via that extends through at least the first dielectric layer; a second conductive via at the second interposer side; and a redistribution structure in contact with the first dielectric layer and electrically connected to the first conductive via and the second conductive via; a semiconductor die comprising: a first die side that faces away from the first interposer side; a second die side that faces toward the first interposer side and comprises a die connection terminal that is coupled to the first conductive via; and a lateral die side that extends between the first die side and the second die side; an encapsulating material that covers at least the second die side and leaves exposed at least one other side of the semiconductor die, wherein: the encapsulating material comprises an uppermost surface facing away from the interposer, a lowermost surface facing the interposer, and a lateral surface that extends entirely between the uppermost surface and the lowermost surface; no portion of the encapsulating material is substantially vertically higher than the first die side; and the lateral surface of the encapsulating material is parallel to the lateral die side; and a conductive bump coupled to the second conductive via.
 22. The semiconductor device of claim 21, comprising an under bump metal layer between the second conductive via and the conductive bump, and wherein at least a first portion of the under bump metal layer extends outward from the second interposer side.
 23. The semiconductor device of claim 22, wherein the conductive bump completely covers said at least a first portion of the under bump metal layer that extends outward from the second interposer side.
 24. The semiconductor device of claim 21, comprising a second dielectric material directly contacting at least one surface of the encapsulating material.
 25. The semiconductor device of claim 24, wherein the second dielectric material comprises an adhesive layer.
 26. The semiconductor device of claim 21, comprising an adhesive layer directly on the first die side, wherein at least a portion of the adhesive layer is vertically higher from the interposer than the encapsulating material.
 27. The semiconductor device of claim 26, wherein the entire adhesive layer is vertically higher from the interposer than the encapsulating material.
 28. The semiconductor device of claim 21, comprising solder between the die connection terminal and the first conductive via.
 29. The semiconductor device of claim 21, wherein: the die connection terminal comprises a copper pillar comprising: a first pillar end toward the semiconductor die, a second pillar end toward the interposer, and a lateral pillar side that extends between the first pillar end and the second pillar end; the lateral pillar side is covered by the encapsulating material; and the lateral surface of the encapsulating material is vertically longer than the copper pillar.
 30. The semiconductor device of claim 21, wherein: the interposer comprises a lateral interposer side that extends between the first interposer side and the second interposer side; and the lateral interposer side is parallel to the lateral die side and to the lateral surface of the encapsulating material.
 31. A semiconductor device comprising: an interposer comprising: a first interposer side; a second interposer side opposite the first interposer side; a first dielectric layer at the first interposer side; a first conductive via that extends through at least the first dielectric layer; a second conductive via at the second interposer side; and a redistribution structure in contact with the first dielectric layer and electrically connected to the first conductive via and the second conductive via; a semiconductor die comprising: a first die side that faces away from the first interposer side; and a second die side that faces toward the first interposer side and comprises a die connection terminal that is coupled to the first conductive via; an encapsulating material that covers at least the second die side and leaves exposed at least one other side of the semiconductor die, wherein: the encapsulating material comprises an uppermost surface facing away from the interposer, a lowermost surface facing the interposer, and a lateral surface that extends entirely between the uppermost surface and the lowermost surface; and no portion of the encapsulating material is substantially vertically higher than the first die side; a conductive bump coupled to the second conductive via; and an adhesive layer contacting the encapsulating material.
 32. The semiconductor device of claim 31, comprising an insulating layer, and where the adhesive layer adheres the encapsulating material to the insulating layer.
 33. The semiconductor device of claim 32, wherein the insulating layer is a laminate.
 34. The semiconductor device of claim 33, wherein the insulating layer is a layer of a laminated substrate.
 35. The semiconductor device of claim 31, comprising an under bump metal layer between the second conductive via and the conductive bump, and wherein at least a first portion of the under bump metal layer extends outward from the second interposer side.
 36. The semiconductor device of claim 35, wherein the conductive bump completely covers said at least a first portion of the under bump metal layer that extends outward from the second interposer side.
 37. The semiconductor device of claim 35, wherein: the die connection terminal comprises a copper pillar comprising: a first pillar end toward the semiconductor die, a second pillar end toward the interposer, and a lateral pillar side that extends between the first pillar end and the second pillar end; the lateral pillar side is covered by the encapsulating material; and the lateral surface of the encapsulating material is vertically longer than the copper pillar.
 38. A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, the method comprising: providing an interposer comprising: a first interposer side; a second interposer side opposite the first interposer side; a first dielectric layer at the first interposer side; a first conductive via that extends through at least the first dielectric layer; a second conductive via at the second interposer side; and a redistribution structure in contact with the first dielectric layer and electrically connected to the first conductive via and the second conductive via; providing a semiconductor die comprising: a first die side that faces away from the first interposer side; a second die side that faces toward the first interposer side and comprises a die connection terminal that is coupled to the first conductive via; and a lateral die side that extends between the first die side and the second die side; providing an encapsulating material that covers at least the second die side and leaves exposed at least one other side of the semiconductor die, wherein: the encapsulating material comprises an uppermost surface facing away from the interposer, a lowermost surface facing the interposer, and a lateral surface that extends entirely between the uppermost surface and the lowermost surface; and no portion of the encapsulating material is substantially vertically higher than the first die side; and providing a conductive bump coupled to the second conductive via.
 39. The method of claim 38, wherein the lateral surface of the encapsulating material is parallel to the lateral die side.
 40. The method of claim 38, comprising providing an adhesive layer contacting the encapsulating material. 